Whose stay calls for it
Every European national whose stay passes the three-month mark: the Erasmus student who stays for the full year, the engineer hired by a food company in the Vega del Segura, the couple retiring to San Javier. Family members who are themselves EU citizens register in the same way. Most offices also want proof of your empadronamiento, so the town hall usually comes first.
A husband, wife or child holding a non-European passport takes another road altogether: their own residence card, applied for on form EX-19.
What the EX-18 file needs
- Form EX-18, filled in and signed
- Your valid passport or national ID card, with a copy
- The fee, settled beforehand with the 790 código 012
- Evidence of how you will live here: a work contract or registration as self-employed; or enough resources and health cover; or enrolment at a university such as the UMU or UCAM, with health cover and resources
- Your padrón certificate, which offices commonly ask for
Where it is issued in the region
policia.es lists the EU regime, the régimen comunitario, at the Brigada Provincial at Cabezo Cortado and at the comisarías of Molina de Segura, Cartagena, Lorca and Yecla. The certificate is usually handed over at the appointment itself. Our page on the offices of the region gives each address.
Sourcepolicia.es, extranjería offices in the province of Murcia (opens in a new tab)
In Murcia
Searching for certificado de registro UE Murcia leads to the same complex at Cabezo Cortado that issues NIE numbers, but the four comisarías of the region list the EU regime too. EU residents around the Mar Menor often find Cartagena closer; those in the Vega Media, Molina de Segura.
Questions people ask
Is the green certificate an identity document?
No. It proves your registration as a resident. Carry your passport or national ID card with it.
Is there a renewal date on it?
None is printed on the certificate. After five years of legal residence you can ask for permanent residence; update the certificate if your address or details change.
I already have a NIE from a holiday flat. Do I still need this?
Yes, once you live here. The number stays the same; the green certificate adds your registration as a resident.